Strain gauge



Nov. so, 1948. F; F. VERSAW 1 2,455,285 I STRAIN GAUGE Filed Sept. 13, 1945 4 She'ets-Sheet 1 Nov. 30, 1948. F. F.- VERSAW 2,455,285 STRAIN GAUGE Filed Sept. 13, 1945 v4 Sheets-Sheet 2 GAGE PRESSURE oer/mass F. F. vERsAw Nov. so, 1948;

STRAIN GAUGE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 13, 1945 F. F. VERS'AW swam GAUGE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 13, 1945 7 PatentedNov. so, 1948 2,455,285 STRAIN GAUGE 2 Forest 1t.- Versaw, Penn Township, Allegheny County, Pa.,' assignor velopment Company,

ration of Delaware to Gulf Research & De- Pittsburgh, Pa., a corpodpplication September 13, 1945, Serial No. 616,065

3 Claims. (01. 73-88) This invention relates to stress-strain measurement apparatus. More particularly, the invention is concerned with the determination" and control of the stress being exerted upon and the strain existing in an extensible or compressible member and apparatus therefor.

Aprincipal object of this invention is the provision of a new apparatus for measuring the stress applied to and the strain existing in rigid members as the result of applied stresses. Another object is the provision of apparatus for measuring the load upon a tool doing work on a work-piece. Other objects include the provision of an apparatus for evaluating the efiectiveness of cutting oils, the provision of an apparatus for preventing rigid members which are subjected to high degrees of stress from becoming over-strained and the provision of a strain measuring apparatus which is extremely sensitive and yet very simple in operation. Further objects and the entire scope of applicability of this invention will become apparent from the-detailed description given hereinafter.

These objects are accomplished according to the present invention by a novel assembly of apparatus for determining the fluid pressure existing between a pair of orifices in series with one another in a fluid conducting line through which fluid under substantially constant initial pressure is flowing, one of the orifices or openings being of a predetermined fixed size and the other orifice or opening being caused to vary continuously in size in accordance with the strain in the member, whereby variations in the fluid pressure are taken as a measure of the strain in the member.

A complete understanding of this invention may be had from the following detailed description by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of one embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is a detailed side view. partly in section of the orifice assembly of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top view partially in section of the orifice assembly and the. manner in which it. is

rigidly mounted on the member .under measurement of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a graph ofthe relationship existing between the size of the variable orifice and the fiuid pressure existing in the fluid conducting line between the variable and fixed orifice. r

. Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of an apparatus of this invention for automatically controlling the stress in a strained member.

Figure 6 isa top view of the work tool section of a lathe provided with the measuring device of this invention.

Figure! is a side view of the lathe section oi 5 Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a side view of the application of the measuring device of this invention in a sucker rod string for well pumping.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of a section of a 10 rolling mill provided with the measuring device of this invention.

Figure 10 is a front view, partly in section,

showing in detail the measuring device shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a side view, partly in section, showing in detail the measuring device shown in Figure 9.

Referring to Figure 1 of the "drawings, there 2 is shown in an assembly for measuring the stress on a tie rod of a hydraulic press, a fluid conducting line 2 which is connected, to means (not shown) for causing fluid to flow through the line 2 and the other members connected in series therewith, e. g., an air compressor or a vacuum pump. Inserted in the line 2 are an air filter '4, a reducing valve 6, a pressure gauge 8, a pressure regulator Ill and an operating pressure gauge [2. The-fluid conducting line 2 is connected to the orifice assembly It at the inlet i 6. The orifice assembly I i consists in part of a nozzle I8, gauge 20 and clamping means 22 for rigidlyconnecting the assembly to the rigid member 2t, the tie rod of a hydraulic press. p

A bar or rod 26 is rigidly connected by the clamp 28 to the strainedmember 24 thus forming an extended portion of the member. The bar 28 "is positioned in axial alignment with the nozzle is and in close proximity thereto so that relative movement. of the nozzle l8 and bar 26 upon ap- 0 plication of stress to the member 24 will'be parallel to the force vector of theapplied stress. In

other words, the bar 26 is connected to the member 26 so that it moves parallel to the direction of compression or extension of the member 24.-

The clamp 28 for connecting the bar 28 to the member 24 is provided with an adjustment screw 30 which permits the bar 26 to be moved axially with the nozzle i8 and parallel to the member 24 so as to permit adjustment of the distance 0 between the ends of the bar26 and the nozzle i8.

Figure 2Ishows the orifice assembly i4 01 Figure 1 in detail. This assembly consists of a fluid conucting channel 32 with the end i6 connected to the fluid conducting line 2 and the opening 34 connected to the threaded end of the nozzle I8.

An orifice 36 of fixed size is situated in the channel 32 between the opening 34 and the end I6. Another opening 38 is provided in the channel 32 between the orifice 36 and the opening 34. This opening 38 permits the threaded end 40 of the gauge to be inserted in fluid-tight connection with the channel 32.

Figure 3 shows in more detail the method of mounting of the orifice assembly l4 upon the member 24. It shows the fiuid conducting line 2 connected to the orifice assembly 14 at the opening it. An extension of the orifice assembly N forms half of the clamping means 22. The other half of the clamping means consisting of a bracket which is joined to the first half of the clamp by the bolts 42 which serve to securely fasten the clamp 22 to the member 24. Thus, the orifice assembly 14 and-the gauge 20 may be secured to the member '24 so as to prevent any relative movement between these two elements. For proper operation both the nozzle I8 and the extended portion, i. e., bar 28, must be connected to the member 24 so as to be immovablerelative to the member 24 during operation.

Referring'again to Figure 1, the operation of the sensitive measurement instrument illustrated 4 It is desirable to obtain as nearly a straight line relationship as possible and to obtain a full scale gauge indication for the maximum reading to be encountered. The gauge maybe made to function on the straight line portion of the desired curve, as for instance, number two, by adjustment of the size of the orifice 36, the diameter of the nozzle 18, the width of the face of the nozzle l8 and the initial gap A between the bar 28 and the nozzle l0. Adjustment of the flow of fluid through the apparatus may also be made.

i The relationships should be calculated in adtherein is as follows: compressed air from a compressor and surge tank is supplied to the fluid conducting line 2 and made to pass first through the air filter 4 and then through the reducing valve 8; wherein the pressure is reduced from the system pressure to about 30 p, s. i. From the reducing valve 6, the air fiows through a pressure regulator l0 which serves to maintain the pressure of the air in follows at a substantially constant value, and thence the air flows to the orifice assembly l4.

In the orifice assembly the air first passes into the portion of the channel on the upstream side of the orifice 36. The -flow of air is then restricted by the fixed orifice 38, passes through the remainder of the channel 32, through the opening 34, and finally exits into the surrounding atmosphere through the opening in the nozzle l8. However, in passing into the surrounding atmosphere through the nozzle l8 the flow of air is again restricted by the very narrow or capillary type opening A formed between the end of the nozzle lfl-and the bar 26. It will be seen that a certain'pressure will exist within the channel 32 between the orifice 38 and the opening in the nozzle It. With a constant air pressure of 30 p. s. i. supplied to the orifice assembly and with the bar 26 in contactwith the nozzle face, the pressure in the chamber 32 between the orifice 36 and nozzle l8 will be equal to the pressure ofthe air being supplied to the system, i. e., 30 p. s. i. and will so register on the gauge 20. When the bar 26 is withdrawn slightly from the nozzle face, a fiow of air will occur through the opening so formed. When the open-q ing A becomes greater in efiectual areathan the orifice 44, a reduction in pressure will occur in the channel 32 between orifice 36 and the opening A and this reduced pressure will so register-on the gauge 20. Hence, variances in the distance between the face of the nozzle l8 and the end of the bar 24 will be manifested by variations in the pressure existing between the orifice 36 and the gap or opening A and, in turn, the pressure registered upon the gauge.

The general relationship existing between the increase in the effectual area of the opening A and the registered gauge pressure is indicated in the curves I, 2 and l o! the graph of Figure 4.

the fluid conducting line whichvance to provide operation on the desired portion of a curve. An example of the magnitude of the size of these variables is a 0.015 in. diameter orifice 36, a nozzle I8 opening of 0.060 in., and a nozzle l8 face width of 0.010 for use with air at 30 p. s. 1. However, it must be realized that these value are illustrative only and that they should be varied to give maximum efilciency to y the final instrument in accordance with the principles outlined above.

The operation of this apparatus has been described as using compressed air. However, any fiuid may be used and the direction of fiow is immaterial, e. g., the apparatus may be satisfactorily operated using a vacuum on line 2 rather than compressed air.

With air-passing through the nozzle, as indicated above, a specific pressure will register on the gauge 20. 'With' the bar 26 adjusted relative to the nozzle 18 so as to measure compression in the member 24, the pressure registered upon the gauge 20 will increase in proportion to the compressing stress applied to the member 24 and the strain resulting in the member. If it is desired to measure the extension resulting from a strain applied to member 24,'the gap A between nozzle l8 and bar 26 is adjusted so that gauge 20 will register the maximum reading to be encountered before the application of any strain to the member 24. With the gap so adjusted, the reading on the gauge 20 will decrease proportionally to the strain applied to. member 24 and the extension stress resulting therein.

It will be appreciated that the exact relationship existing between degree of strain in any particular member under measurement and the value registered upon the gauge will be dependent upon the nature of the member under measurement and upon the other variables such as orifice size, etc., discussed above. The particular relationship existing for any given assembly may be calculated v according to well known principles, as those skilled in the art will be aware and, since this calculation forms no essential part 01 this invention, it has been omitted from this discussion.

Another application of an apparatus of this invention is illustrated by the diagrammatic drawing of Fig. 5. This drawing illustrates a device similar to that shown in Figure 1, but in this particular set-up the gauge 20 01 Figure 1 is replaced by a gauge 44. This gauge is provided with an electric contact 46 so that when the reading upon the gauge reaches a predetermined.

fixed, maximum value, the relay 48 of the ordi-' nary type will be caused to operate by means of the current passing from the battery 50 through the wires 82. The relay 48 is connected to the electric motor or other means supplying the stressing force to the member 24 and, therefore, the stressing force will be automatically shut on when the gauge 44 goes beyond the predetermined maximum value.

The gauge 44 is supplied with another electrical Value.

constant pressure (not'shown).

contact uwhich permits a sans, operation oi the'relay 48 and the discontinuance of the stressing fore'when the gauge 44 registers a predetermin minimum value. 'The wire 52 between the battery 50 and the gauge 44 is supplied with possible to prevent the strain resulting in the member 24 from exceeding a predetermined, fixed Because of the unusual sensitiveness of the measuring device of-this invention, plication of the invention is particularly useful.

One of the most important applications of my apparatus for strain measurement is illustrated in Figures 6 and '7. Figure 6 is a top view partly in section and Figure '7 ing tool section of a lathe in which my apparatus is incorporated. These figures show thework tool 80 mounted in well known fashion in the tool holder 82 which is mounted upon the transverse slide 64 and the longitudinal slide 68. A

block 88 is bolted to the longitudinal slide 88. This block is drilled to therein.

. An air pressure line I2 is connected at one end to the channel I8 at the opening 14 and at the other end to a source of air under a substantially Another air line 18 is connected at one end to the channel I0 at the opening 18 while the other end of the line I6 is connected to a pressure gauge (not shown).

An orifice of fixed size 80 is inserted in the chan-' nel 10. A nozzle 82 is connected'to the channel 10 by the nipple 88, the length of the nipple and a nozzle I08.

nozzle being adjusted so that the end .of the nozzle comes into close proximity with the working'tool 80 and forms a small gap B between the tool 80 and the end of the nozzle 82.

In operation, the apparatus illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 will function as follows: air passes through the line 12, the orifice 80' and out through the nozzle 82. The gap B, the size of the orifice are arranged 00 and the pressure in the line '72 so that a minimum reading shows on the gauge attached to line I8 when the work tool 60 is out of contact with the work piece 86. With the work too] in contact withthe work piece 86, the tool will be subjected to tool to be strained and cause the gap B between the tool 00 and the nozzle 82 to be decreased. As this gap is decreased, the pressure in the channel [0 between the nozzle 82 and the orifice 80 will increase and will so registerupon the gauge at- 55 tached to the line It. As has been indicated above, the pressure changes showing on the gauge attached to line 78, will vary proportionally to the size of the gap B and, in turn, upon the strain existing in the work tool 00. C

This application of my apparatus to measuring the strain existing in a work tool doing work upon a work piece such as the tool of a lathe, as indicated above, is particularly important. Be-

cause of the extreme sensitiveness of measure- 65 ment, it is possible to determine to a very accurate degree the strain in the tool. Moreover, this measurement is continuous and even though the' degree of accuracy of measurement is of a very high order, the apparatus is not subject to break- '70 age as in the case' of delicate measuring instruments.

This apparatus 'for measuring the strain in the work tool of a lathe is so accurate in its operation that it hasbeen found to serve as an excellent 75 this ap-.

is a side view of the workmeans for determining the efllciency of cutting oils and to permit evaluation of the effect of various cutting oils with respect to the load on the work tool. Thus, with the tool 80 in contact with the work piece 88, a particular cutting oil is applied to the piece. The strain existing in the work too] resulting from operation of the tool upon the work piece coated with the cutting oil under test, will then register upon the gauge. A second oil is then applied to the work piece 88 and the strain. existing in' the worktool 80 when operating upon the work piece coated with the second oil, will register on the gauge attached to the 0 pumping sucker rod string. 88 provided with an provide a channel I0 the length of the bar a. stress which will cause the .the bolts 84.

embodiment of this invention for determining the strain existing in the rod string. The rod 88 is 'in two sections, one of the sections being .threaded to a block and the other section being threaded to a block 82. These two blocks 80 and 92 are rigidly held apart from one another eta predetermined. fixed distance by means of The block 82 is provided with a channel 86 to which is attached at one end an air line 88 and I00. The free end of the air line 98 is connected to a source of compressed airunder substantially constant pressure. An orifice I02 of fixed size is inserted in the channel 96. Channel 96 is also provided on the downstream side of the orifice I02 with an opening I04 into which is threaded A bar I08 is threaded into the block'90. This bar I08 is placed axially with the nozzle I05 both of which are parallel to the rod string 88, and and the position thereof are such that the end of the bar comes into close' proximity with the opening in the nozzle. so as to form a small gap between the end of the bar and the nozzle face. The proximity of bar I08 to nozzle I06 may be adjusted by means of its screwthreaded connection with block 90, and it may I09.

In operation, the strain dynamometer illustrated in Figure 8, functions on the same principle asthe apparatus shown and described for be secured in adjusted position by the nut Figures 1, 5, 6 and 7. Thus, air is supplied by the line 98 under constant pressure to the orifice assembly situated in the block 92. The air flows through the orifice I02 and then out of the nozzle I06 into the surrounding atmosphere by way of the small gap formed between the nozzle opening I06 and the bar I 08. Variations in the opening of the gap which are proportional to the strain existing in the sucker rod-string 88, will register upon the gauge I00. By means of proper calculation or through the use of a graph based upon suitable calculations, the stress being exerted upon the rod 88 and, in turn, the stress existing therein may be determined through the pressure differentials registered on the gauge.

Another application for which my invention at the other end a pressure gauge I the housing IIO of a controlled distance from ing of the gap between ,propencalculatlon or the use of that the opening in said ,said conducting line at a external pressure,

saunas is held at a controlled height by means of the thumb screw I33. The entire device with the exception of the pressure gauge I30 is enclosed in the housing or guard I40. In operation, .the straincletermination device illustrated in Figures 9 to 11 functions on the sameprinciple as the apparatus shown and described in Figures 1 and 5 to '7. Thus, air under a constant external pressure is supplied by the line I28 to the orifice assembly I20. The air flows first orifice I24 and then out of the nozzle I28 into the surrounding atmosphere by way of the small gap which is formed between thenozzle "I28 and the end of the rod I36. The size of this gap may be controlled by adjusting the height of the rod I33 through the use of the thumb screw I38. During operation, with the nozzle I23, variations in the strain existing in the rolling mill housing I III will cause proportional variations in the openthe nozzle and the rod. These variations in opening of the gap will be registered upon the gauge I30. By means or a suitable graph,

Hi. This orifice assembly cornchamber 122 in which is p pe pp e through the fixed the rod I placed at a the strain existing in the assembly H0 may be readily determined through the pressure diflerentials registered on the gauge.

I claim:

1. In combination, a press tie rod, a bar of shorter length than said tie rod rigidly connected in parallel to said tie rod, a nozzle oi a fluid con.-

ducting line rigidly connected to said tie rod so nozzle is closely spaced from an end of said bar, the bar and nozzle being in axialalignment, an orifice insaid conducting line separate from said nomle, means connected to said orifice for causing a now of nuid through substantially constant and means for determining pressure differentials existing in said fluid conducting line between said male and said orifice.

2. A strain gauge for measuring stress or load in a member resulting in a change of its dimension, comprising spaced supporting fixtures rigidly secured to a member in which the strain is to be measured; a rod carriedat one end by one of said fixtures, said rod being spaced from said member and extending substantially parallel with the force vector of the stress applied to said member,

a nozzle carried by said other fixture, directed toward the free end 01 said rod axially thereof and in close proximity thereto, a conduit connecting said-nozzle with a source of fluid under pressure, a, constricting member; formed with an orifice of fixed size mounted in said conduit inwardly of the nozzle orifice, and a pressure responsive means communicating with a chamber in said conduit which is defined by the space between said orifices.

3. A strain gauge for indicating the load imposed upon mill rolls and roll neck bearings, comprising in combination with the mill housing of a rolling mill, 9. pair of bosses projecting outwardly therefrom, the space between said bosses spanning that portion oi the housing in which strain is to be measured, clamping means carried by one of said bosses, a rod secured at one end by said clamping means for axial adjustment, said rod being spaced from the surface of said housin and extending substantially parallel therewith, a nozzle carried by the other said boss with its orifice directed toward the free end of said rod axi- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Gaines Apr. 13, 1926 Mennesson Dec. 25, 1934 Shimel; Sept. 10, 1935 Messinger Mar. 28, 1939 Tate Aug. 20, 1926 Tate Jan. 6, 1942 Faulkner Dec. 8, 1042 Tate July 27, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Number 

